JUST SMILE
Smiling is an easy way to instantly relieve tension. Students who smiled during a stressful task had lower heart rates afterward – indicating they could get over anxiety faster than others. Source: Psychological Science.

SCRUB IT
Recent research from University of California at Davis, revealed that high levels of triclosan, an antibacterial chemical found in many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and liquid hand soaps, impairs the ability of heart and skeletal muscle cells to contract. Study coauthor says this would likely pose an issue (such as a loss of coordination and strength) only for people with an underlying problem, such as a heart condition.

CHOCOLATE & YOUR HEART
According to a study from Brown University, those who eat dark chocolate on a daily basis are reducing their risk for heart disease. The reason: Dark chocolate contain flavanols, which are rich in anti-oxidants.

ANTI-BREAK OIL
In a study, people who consumed a Mediterranean diet plus virgin olive oil for two years saw an increase in osteocalcin, a protein that’s a marker of bone growth. Those who didn’t up their oil intake experienced no increase in osteocalcin, reports the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

STRETCHING AND HEALTH
If you only stretch once a day there’s 23 hours hours, 59 minutes and 30 seconds you’re not. Rotating and stretching every joint daily keeps them lubricated, and helps prevent injury. Start at one end of your body and work your way to the other end stretching and moving every joint, especially before exercising or when under stress.

WALK AFTER MEALS
A study shows a short walk after eating can help people with type 2 diabetes. Doctor’s in New Zealand found that blood sugar levels fell 22% from people taking a brief walk after dinner compared to people taking longer walks at other times during the day.

WAISTLINE SHRINKING SPICE
The compound that gives turmeric its yellow shade and may also help you shed pounds. In a study, those who took curcumin capsules for nine months saw reduced waist measurements and improved blood sugar levels compared with a placebo group.

HEALTH TIP
Progressive exercise and fitness experts endorse 12-15 minute high-intensity interval exercises that stimulate fast-twitch muscle fibers, increase insulin sensitivity, increase growth hormone, and decrease aging. These exercises range from 4-8 one-minute intervals of full exertion, with 1-2 minute rest periods performed 2-3 times per week. Long cardio workouts are now out of style. Give high-intensity interval exercise a chance if you haven’t already – but start slow and work your way up.

CORN OVERFED
Recent research suggests that eating genetically modified (GM) corn could contribute to obesity. Scientists found that rats fed GM corn for three months ate slightly more (and grew slightly bigger) than a group fed non-modified corn. The reason: The gut may detect components of the genetically engineered products and then have to work harder to digest them and the body may try to compensate for the increased work by boosting food intake, says study author.

BAIT AND SWITCH
The conservation group Oceana conducted DNA tests on seafood in New York City and found that 39% of the fish sold in grocery stores and restaurants was mislabeled. Farmed salmon was labeled “wild,” high-mercury tilefish was “red snapper” or “halibut,” and sushi bars were selling escolar – a fish that can cause diarrhea – as tuna. Download the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch app to locate restaurants that offer responsibly sourced seafood.

THE DARK SIDE OF SNORING
According to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, snoring may raise your risks of heart disease and stroke; even without sleep apnea. Snorers without sleep apnea were more likely than non-snorers to have thickened, narrowed carotid arteries, a precursor to atherosclerosis and blood clots. One theory: Your palate vibrates when you snore, inflaming carotid arteries nearby, says study author. If you’re a snorer, get checked out.

OBESITY GENE MYTH
An international study showed no link between the so-called obesity gene and a persons ability to loss weight. Researchers found that people with that gene can still lose weight if they go on a diet and exercise.

FITNESS TRACKER FALLACY
According to a study from University of Pittsburgh, a fitness tracker may not be enough to stay in shape. Researchers found that regular dieters did better than those who used a technology. The reason: Trackers may get people moving, it may encourage them to overeat, says researchers.

DO THIS, NOT THAT!
DON’T DO bench dips
DO close-hand push-up
With your arms behind you bench dips creates extreme tension in the shoulders, increasing the risk of injury.

DID YOU KNOW
Only 1.4 percent of the people in the United States meet the dietary guidelines for potassium (4700 milligrams a day)

NOT A SWEET SPOT
According to a Georgetown University study, a “sugar rush” could take on a whole new meaning. Mice on a high-glucose diet showed faster cancerous tumor growth than mice that ate a small amount. High glucose levels make certain mutant proteins grow more aggressively, the scientists say. More studies may find an effect in humans.

STRESS AND BREAKFAST
According to researchers at Ohio State, stress can erase the benefits of a healthy breakfast. Researchers discovered that stressful events from the previous day can undo any benefits from a healthy breakfast. The study suggests that stress effects the way the body processes food. The results showed that even those who eat a heart healthy diet need to manage their stress, says study author.

GRAB A BAR
Of chocolate, that is. A study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that after eating a dose of dark chocolate, men showed better blood platelet function that those who didn’t eat any The reason: Flavanols in chocolate may help keep platelets for sticking together, resulting in better protection against heart disease and stroke. The effect lasted up to 6 hours, the scientist found. They suggest eating it in moderate amounts on a regular basis may provide a continuous heart-health benefit.

EXERCISE STOPS CRAVINGS
According to a new study, ask you have to do to curb your cravings is exercise. Researchers say short 15 minute bursts of strenuous exercise can make hunger go away. Researchers found that any kind of mental work utilizes brain energy, which makes people want to have food. In the study one group rested after studying and the other group performed interval training on a treadmill. Those who did not exercise increased their food intake by 100 calories.

MORNING SICKNESS, GOOD?
According to a study from the National Institute of Health, morning sickness may be good for you. Looked at a group of women before they got pregnant, then followed them for 3 to 6 weeks. The result: The women who reported nausea and vomiting were less likely to miscarry by the eighth week. Researchers believe there is a link, but more research will be needed for the answer.

AFTERBURN
An Italian study reports, brief workouts with heavy weights may be best for losing fat. In the study, one group of men did 32 minutes of interval-style lifting (heavy weights with 20-second rests between sets). Another group did 62 minutes of lighter weight using a more traditional approach (3 sets of 12 to 14 reps, shorter rests between sets). Over the next 22 hours, the heavy lifters burned an extra 363 calories. The reason: Your muscles work harder with intervals, so they have to do more post-workout rebuilding.

HEALTH TIP
Herbs that can protect the stomach and intestines and counteract excess acid include dandelion, fennel, and slippery elm. Kelp and Irish Moss are also effective antacids. Consider adding these herbs to meals, or taking them as supplements when excess acid is problematic.

THIS BLOWS
According to Italian scientists, colon cancer shows in your breath. The cancer alters the balance of compounds in a person’s breath, making the disease detectable with a Breathalyzer-type test. Study author says the test could be ready in a few years. Other scientists are studying similar ways to detect lung and prostate cancer.

EXERCISE VS ALCOHOL
According to researchers at the University of Sydney, exercise may be the best way to fight a hangover. Researchers say just 20 minutes of of moderate exercise every day decreases some of the harmful effects of drinking too much. Excessive alcohol use can lead to heart disease, stroke, and several types of cancer. But the new study showed the daily exercise significantly reduced the risk of drinking related illnesses.

CRACKING KNUCKLES, GOOD?
A study presented at the Radiogical Society meeting that has not yet been published says cracking knuckles may make them more flexible. When you crack your knuckles, you release gas that has built up in the joints and when researchers studied 400 knuckles under ultrasound, they found that the joints had more flexibility after they were cracked. Researchers say they found no immediate disability in the knuckle crackers in our study, although further research will need to be done to assess any long-term hazard – or benefit – of knuckle cracking,

BAND TOGETHER
According to a study in the journal Sports Biomechanics, strapping on a resistance band could keep your knees healthy. Looping a resistance band around your lower thighs when you perform squats may help you push your knees out, helping prevent injuries like an ACL tear. The reason: Pushing your knees out creates more tension in your hamstrings and glutes. That stabilizes your knees, also distributes the load more evenly across the hips which helps you lift more weight.

SAUNA FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Recent research suggests that infrared saunas can help lose those unwanted pounds. Infrared heat penetrates deeper into the skin than traditional saunas which results in a more vigorous sweat. Experts say you burn up to 600 calories in 30 minutes. The reason: It stimulates the metabolism by increased heart rate similar to exercise. Also, other studies have shown that just 15 minutes a day for two weeks can benefit blood pressure and heart health.

LIFT TO FIGHT DIABETES
According to a study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, lifting weights once a week can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Also scientists as it can help your metabolism too.

DID YOU KNOW
A normal weight man is 4.6 times more likely to be considered for a supervisor job than an obese man.

THE NEW SUPER FOOD
Scientists at Oklahoma University say mangoes should be added to the super food group. Claiming the fruit may help stop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Mangoes have been found to increase a special bacteria which can ward off those conditions. The findings also say that mangoes have anti-inflammatory benefits and also are high in fiber which aids in digestion.

POSITIVE POWER
A study from the Institute of Cognitive Science in Lyon, France suggests hearing action verbs in a positive context while lifting weights may make you stronger. Study participants who listened to sentences with positive action verbs – for example, push, lift, crush – experienced a significant boost in their grip strength. But when participants heard similar sentences with negatively constructed verbs – for example, don’t lift – they showed no increase in strength. The reason: Researchers think that hearing action verbs in an affirmative context may activate certain parts of the brain responsible for controlling movement.

NIGHTCAP NOT FOR EVERYONE
Research out of UC San Francisco, long term drinking even in moderate amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of stroke. Researchers say because alcohol can cause the left atrium of the heart to get bigger, which can lead to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. The risk is greater for those with a genetic predisposition for atrial fibrillation.

ATHLETIC GENES
According to researchers in Japan, “natural athletes” might have athletic genes. When scientists compared the DNA of a control group to that of elite wrestlers, they found that a combination of specific forms of two genes appeared more frequently in the wrestlers. The reason: The scientists think findings might help customize workouts to maximize an athlete’s genetic advantage.

CRIME…PUNISHMENT
A 12-ounce bottle of beer has 150 calories. You’d have to do burpees for 15 minutes to burn it off.

IRON TEENS
According to a Swedish study, strong teens are less likely to die young. The teenage boys who did well on knee-extension and hand-grip tests were 20 percent less likely to die before the age 55. The reason: Scientists aren’t sure if guys with strong muscles are more active in general, leading to better health, or if there’s something uniquely health-promoting about strong muscles.

SQUAT SAFELY
According to British researchers, wearing knee wraps when squatting can increase your risk of injury. “The wrapped knee is more stable, so your body shifts the weight there, which can overload the joint,” says Bill Hartman, P.T, C.S.C.S To improve knee stability, begin performing single-leg squats by holding on to something stable – a pole – and shallow squat depth. If that is too hard, give split squats a try until you can perform single-leg squats.

HEALTH TIP
To optimize rest for the digestive system, it is best to stop eating at least 3 hours before bedtime. Calories consumed in the evening are much more likely to be stored as fat, resulting in weight gain. Adjust your night-time snacking or evening meal to allow at least 3 hours to digest before bedtime.

ENERGY DRINKS A BUNCH OF BULL?
According to a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, claims that non-caffeine ingredients in energy drinks enhance performance is a bunch of bull! Cyclists who downed Red Bull consumed as much oxygen and felt just as tired as athletes who drank a beverage that contained the same amount of caffeine but lacked ingredients like taurine or B vitamins. What this means: It’s the caffeine that elevates your performance, says study author. He suggests 76 milligrams of caffeine if you need to boost your energy for a workout. A regular cup of coffee has 96 milligrams.

DID YOU KNOW
When blindfolded you lose power. People who performed a leg press blindfolded had six percent less power.

BRACE YOURSELF
According to a French study, building a six-pack can help you jump higher. After a group of soccer players completed an 8-week core training program, they were able to jump 17 percent higher. The reason: The researchers think training the abdominal muscles increased the “springiness” in the men’s legs and pelvises.

DID YOU KNOW
Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins.Newborns are able to recognize the smell of their mothers and many of us can pinpoint the smell of our significant others and those we are close to. Part of that smell is determined by genetics, but it’s also largely do to environment, diet and personal hygiene products that create a unique chemistry for each person.

HEALTH TIP
Most foods produced today have significantly less nutrients than those produced even 50 years ago due to soil depletion and non-sustainable farming methods. Studies confirm that most Americans are deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral. Buy organic foods as much as possible to compensate for this decline in nutrients.

DID YOU KNOW
One out of 20 people have an extra rib.

HEALTH TIP
Healing herbs and spices can be consumed internally in food, teas or supplements, or they can be absorbed externally through the skin in creams/lotions. Many can also be inhaled through steam vapors. Consider adding healing herbs to your kitchen and medicine cabinet.

CRIME…PUNISHMENT
A 5-ounce glass of red wine has 115 calories. You’d have to do burpees for 12 minutes to burn it off.

RUN & SLEEP
According to a Dutch study,the more calories you burn while awake, the better you’ll sleep. In the study, people who burned 2500 calories a day spent more time in bed sleeping than those who burned 1500. The reason: If you sap your energy stores during the day, you need to replenish them at rest, which is associated with better sleep, says researchers.

DID YOU KNOW
37 percent of cyclists have ridden through an intersection when the light was red.

DID YOU KNOW
You could remove a large part of your internal organs and survive. The human body may appear fragile but it’s possible to survive even with the removal of the stomach, the spleen, 75 percent of the liver, 80 percent of the intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from the pelvic and groin area. You might not feel too great, but the missing organs wouldn’t kill you.

ACID REFLUX?
According to the FDA, acid reflux drugs like Prilosec and Nexium (Protein pump inhibitors or PPI’s) now carry a warning for risk of dangerous Clostridium difficile infections. PPI’s reduce stomach acid, which is needed to kill dangerous bacteria. Weak stomach acid also limits the absorption of vitamins and minerals, especially magnesium. There are many natural remedies for acid reflux, GERD, and ulcers, some of which include eliminating irritating foods, eating small frequent meals, and consuming apple, apple cider vinegar, kefir, and probiotics with meals. To maximize health, explore natural, food-based alternatives to heal the root cause of stomach acid related illnesses.

HEALTH TIP
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which is essential for an effective immune system (fighting colds and infection), and effective eyesight. Consider increasing Vitamin A by consuming foods with carotenoids like carrots, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and kale or by consuming Vitamin A or beta carotene supplements.

WATER EQUATION
Health specialists recommend consuming at least 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of filtered water daily, to prevent dehydration. In warm weather when activity levels are high, or when detoxing or dieting, consider consuming up to one ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight, as long as kidney function is normal.

GOT FEVER?
Fever is one of the body’s strongest immune system responses to infection from viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Most fevers are self-limiting, so when risk of febrile seizure is minimal, consider allowing fever to take it’s course (up to 104 degrees) for more rapid illness recovery. Use of fever reducers may lengthen recovery time by reducing immune system effectiveness.

DID YOU KNOW
Bone is stronger than some steel. This doesn’t mean your bones can’t break of course, as they are much less dense than steel. Bone has been found to have a tensile strength of 20,000 psi while steel is much higher at 70,000 psi. Steel is much heavier than bone, however, and pound for pound bone is the stronger material.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES FOR ACID REFLUX
Many people with acid reflux actually have weak stomach acid, which makes digestion of protein and fat difficult. This problem is compounded by the use of antacids, and many prescription drugs for acid reflux. Investigate adding digestive enzymes or hydrochloric acid before meals to increase nutrient absorption, and minimize acid reflux.

*Consult physician before trying a new supplement, food or diet. Especially if you’re on any medications.

POWER PLANTS
According to scientists from the University of Maryland and the USDA, most microgreens (immature leaves of plants) contain a higher concentration of vitamins and disease-fighting antioxidants than their mature ones. Red cabbage, cilantro, and garnet amaranth had some of the highest levels of antioxidants among the plants studied.

DID YOU KNOW
The ashes of a cremated person average about 9 pounds. A big part of what gives the human body weight is the water trapped in our cells. Once cremated, that water and a majority of our tissues are destroyed, leaving little behind.
Nails and hair do not continue to grow after we die. They do appear longer when we die, however, as the skin dehydrates and pulls back from the nail beds and scalp.

B6 AND LUNG CANCER
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by the American Lung Association found that higher blood levels of Vitamin B6 may help reduce the risk of lung cancer by as much as 50%. The study of 400,000 participants found that among smokers, non-smokers and past-smokers alike the higher the B6, the lower the incidence of cancer. B6 is found in bananas, avocado, beans, spinach, meats and poultry. To minimize cancer risk, consume B6 foods daily, or supplement with a B-complex vitamin.

DO THIS, NOT THAT
DON’T DO seated rotation machine
DO cable chop
Your hips and shoulders are designed to rotate as a unit. If you rotate one and not the other, its just a matter of time before you’ll be calling a back surgeon.

CANCER CRUSHERS
According to an Italian study, certain vegetables help lower your cancer risk. The study found that eating cruciferous vegetables at least once a week may decrease your risk of oral, esophageal, colorectal, and kidney cancers compared with eating them occasionally. Cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale) contain compounds called glucosinolates that can help block tumor growth.

DIET AND BEAUTY
Recent research suggests that beauty and strength in the hair, skin and nails begins with a superior diet. Poor digestion may cause thinning hair and brittle nails before menopause. Nails and hair are made from protein, and if protein levels are low because of poor digestion, hair and nails are the first to suffer. Check with a good nutritional doctor about adding enzymes, hydrochloric acid, or pepsin as digestive aids when poor protein absorption is suspected.

DID YOU KNOW
The focusing muscles of the eyes move around 100,000 times a day. To give your leg muscles the same workout, you would need to walk 80km (50 miles) every day.

DRINK BEER, SAVE MUSCLES
According to Japanese scientists, beer can help retain muscle. Inactive mice who consumed 8-PN, a flavonoid found in beer, they retained more muscle mass than those who hadn’t. One problem… You’d have to drink at least 384 beers a day to intake similar amounts of 8-PN. More research will test if an 8-PN concentrate has a similar effect on humans.

FOOD AND WINKS
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition correlates the following foods with decreased skin wrinkling due to their healthy antioxidant and vitamin content: cherries, melons, apples, prunes, pears, yogurt, teas, pure water, eggs, beans, spinach, olives, eggplant, nuts, celery and asparagus. Have you eaten your wrinkle preventative today?

BUYING PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are finally being accepted (and advertised) for their healthful benefits. But to be effective, it is important to buy quality products that work. Look for the following traits when choosing a probiotic to maximize effectiveness:

Contains 12-15 different strains of bacteria

Contains Billions of probiotic cells rather than millions

Provides an effective delivery method (encapsulation) to insure the pill makes it to the intestine

Includes bifidobacterium in multiple strains.

TO MINIMIZE OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN
Recent studies of osteoarthritis patients revealed that both acupuncture and isometric exercises improved perceived pain and quality of life for patients, suggesting both might be worth a try to reduce osteoarthritic pain. There are no negative side-effects for either treatment, and anyone can try them. To minimize osteoarthritis pain naturally (without the side effects of traditional pain killers), investigate isometric exercise programs and/or acupuncture.

DID YOU KNOW
The only time the human population declined was in the years following 1347, the start of the epidemic of the plague ‘Black Death’ in Europe.

SCIENCE
The root word of science is “sci” or “know”, and by definition the word means the study of nature through observation and experimentation. The whole idea is that we learn through watching and experimenting, and our understanding develops and changes as we learn more. Be wary of experts with a static or unchanging viewpoint, because truth (and optimal healing) is found with an open mind. Be especially weary of those who deny new experimental data, or refuse to experiment in controversial topics, stubbornly holding to obsolete ideation. History shows the greatest discoveries come from those willing to search beyond accepted knowledge.

BREAKFAST AND HEALTH
According to a 15 year Harvard study of 27,000 healthy older men supports the importance of eating breakfast for heart health. Subjects who reported eating breakfast had a 27% lower risk of developing heart disease, while those who reported late night eating had a 55% increased risk. To maximize heart health, consider shifting munching times from late night to morning. Eating a healthy diet would most likely improve results even more.

*Consult physician before trying a new supplement, food or diet. Especially if you’re on any medications.

NO MOTIVATION IN OTHERS SUFFERING
According to Canadian researchers, watching someone suffer through a workout can kill your motivation. When people watched just a few minutes of the contestants struggling through a workout on The Biggest Loser, they showed little desire to workout afterward.

DO THIS, NOT THAT
DON’T DO bench dips
DO close-hand push-up
With your arms behind you bench dips creates extreme tension in the shoulders, increasing the risk of injury.

SAVE YOUR MUSCLE MONEY
According to researchers at Texas A&M University, regular creatine monohydrate is just as effective as a more expensive version. After 4 weeks, men who took the more common version gained just as much strength and muscle as those who took a more expensive creatine, which can cost twice as much and is marketed as being more effective and easier for muscle to absorb. The reason: The scientists think that your body absorbs both creatines in the exact same way.

DID YOU KNOW
A fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months. When only a small fraction of the way through its development, a fetus will have already developed one of the most unique human traits: fingerprints. At only 6-13 weeks of development, the whorls of what will be fingerprints have already developed. Oddly enough, those fingerprints will not change throughout the person’s life and will be one of the last things to disappear after death.

LEAD AND KIDS READING
Recent studies show that even very low blood levels of lead in children (less than 5 mcg/dL) may drop reading scores by 4.5 points on standard reading tests, indicating there may be no “safe” levels of heavy metals tolerated by the brain. If unexplained illness or developmental problems arise, consider checking heavy metal blood levels to eliminate the possibility that heavy metal toxicity is affecting health and research heavy metal detoxification protocols.

FREEZE!!
According to a Romanian study, frozen berries, even when stored for up to 4 months, have almost as much antioxidants as fresh ones.

D-LIGHTFUL
According to a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vitamin D may be the secret to big muscles. Scientists found that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D tend to have stronger upper- and lower-body muscles. The reason: The vitamin acts like a hormone. It might affect testosterone, says study author. Most adults need a daily intake of 600 IU.

ACIDIC BODY AND HEALTH
Our cells emit both positive and negative charges, and overly acidic areas carry a positive charge. Illnesses like arthritis exist in a very acidic environment, so changing the diet to create a more alkaline environment (adding colorful veggies and fruits) often drastically improves wellness outcomes. For quick, acute relief of arthritic pain, it is possible to change the polarity of the cells with both the application of magnetic charge (magnets) or static electricity. PVC pipe rubbed against a fabric creates static electricity (a negative charge), which can be held an inch or two above an ailing joint for instant pain relief. To minimize arthritic pain, investigate the non-drug approaches of magnets or static electricity.

PUT YOUR TRAINING ON HOLD
According to a British study, isometric exercises can make the blood vessels feeding your muscles stand out making you look shredded like a bodybuilder. Men who did isometric exercises, which involve performing part of an exercise without movement – like holding biceps curl at midpoint – increased the size f their arteries by 11 percent. What’s more, their blood pressure dropped. The reason: The researchers think the exercises increased nitric oxide in the blood.

DID YOU KNOW
People still cut the cheese shortly after death.

BE THANKFUL
Studies confirm that saying “Thank-you” or similar expressions of sincere gratitude increases endorphins (feel good) chemicals in the brain, and oxytocin, the hormone that stimulates feelings of love and affection. The release of these chemicals creates a relaxed, healing state in the body. To increase relaxation and natural healing, explore the practice of noting one to three things daily for which you are grateful, or as many as it takes to create a positive shift in mood. A fun family game to banish the crankypants is to take turns expressing things each is grateful for – the sillier the better, as laughter also increases endorphins.

KIDNEY STONES CAUSED BY DIET
The number of cases of kidney stones has doubled in the last 16 years, with 20% of men and 10% of women likely to experience them at some point in their lives. Studies show a link between kidney stones and poor diet. Soda and sugary drinks increase risk by about 25%, and exercise can decrease risk by by 30%. Excess animal fats and dairy products may contribute excess calcium in the kidneys, and even oxalic acid in spinach and collards may cause stones in those susceptible. 500 mg of magnesium and 50 mg of B6 daily can reduce kidney stone formation by 90%. Hydration and consumption of citrus fruits (lemons, limes etc) can also cut stone formation. To minimize risk of developing kidney stones, evaluate current diet and lifestyle choices.

HAPPY MEALS
According to a study by British and American researchers, food is an attitude adjuster. People who ate more than two servings of fruits and vegetables daily reported higher levels of happiness than those who ate less. And the more produce you eat, the more your mood can improve. People who ate 7 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day were the happiest of all. While scientists caution these findings may not demonstrate a cause-and-effect link, they say more research into how produce benefits the brain is needed.

PROTEIN AND PREGNANCY
A recent study of 100 women aged 36-37 undergoing infertility treatments using IVF (in vitro fertilization) saw pregnancy rates increase from 17% to 83% when protein was increased in their diets. Women who adjusted the percent of carbohydrate consumption from around 80% down to below 40% and increased protein above 25% saw pregnancy rates increase to 83%. While further study is warranted, it appears that increasing protein and decreasing carbohydrates when trying to conceive a child may be worth a try.

DID YOU KNOW
When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop even your heart.

CANCER AND EXERCISE
Studies from multiple sources are concluding that the lifestyle change of “exercising” may be the best single cancer preventative available, showing as much as 50% decreased cancer risk in habitual exercisers. Studies also show recidivism (recurring cancer) is reduced for those who exercise regularly. To maximize health and minimize cancer risk, review your exercise habits and investigate adding movement that you enjoy to your weekly activities.

*Consult physician before trying a new supplement, food or diet. Especially if you’re on any medications.